UFC HW division is weak

[laleggenda27]

A narrative we see repeated again and again. But what does that even mean ?

It means that the division has failed to improve. Most divisions evolve over the years, with deeper talent pools emerging. HW has been the opposite. It has regressed. And it's failed to cultivate new prospects to replace the aging legends. Accordingly, we're left with a HW top 10 populated by fighters close to or over 40 (Werdum, Overeem, Hunt) and one-dimensional fighters whose one-dimension isn't actually world-class (Francis, Lewis, Volkov).

The HW division now is significantly thinner than it was back in the Pride days. Back then, we had guys like Fedor, CroCop, Big Nog, Barnett, Igor, Coleman, and Sergei competing in the same division. The UFC also had Timmeh, Arlovski, and Randy. Fast forward 13 years and we have a guy like Derrick Lewis ranked as the #6 contender. It's a sad state of affairs. Hell, Arlovski is ranked as the #12 contender, and he has been past his prime for almost a decade.

Hopefully guys like Francis, Blaydes, and Volkov continue to evolve their games and take dramatic leaps forward. Otherwise, the future of the division is quite bleak.

 

[PEDS Help me Post]

The HW divisions lack of talent is because most guys that big and athletic are playing other sports. Theres also way more money in NFL and basketball and their seen as safer.

That's only for American HW's.

Part of the problem is they won't invest very much money in Eastern European athletes, where most of the top combat sports HW's are from, because they aren't draws. Not many of these guys are going to come over for 20k paychecks when it costs them 10k+ just to get to the fight.

So, instead, we're left with things like Dana White's Can-tender Series for bringing in new, fresh "talent" like 36 year old Zu 'The 8th Wonder' Azanyu.


The HW division would be seriously invigorated with talent and fresh match-ups if they got guys like Minakov, Blagoi Ivanov, Denis Goltsov, Sergey Pavolovich, etc. Also, LHW could use Yusupov, Nemokov and Puetz as it's lacking in talent as well.

 

[SeattleFightFan]

A narrative we see repeated again and again. But what does that even mean ?

These guys are at the top of the food chain. If you take top 10 heavies or even wider, there is only a few guys outside that could compete with them. Guys like DC or Jones who are basically GOAT contenders in their division. So, what makes for a strong division:
...
So, if everyone claims the division is weak, i must be missing something here. What is it ?

if someone says the LHW division is weak, do you know what they mean?

well, extrapolate out from that.

yes, the UFC HW division has a long history of weak. there was a period of a few months where it had Cain, JDS, AO, Brock, Carwin, Mir, Big Nog and Werdum. that was a strong HW division!!!

alas, Brock left, Carwin left, AO tested positive, Mir showed his age, and Cain & Nog got hurt. and it was back to meeting our expectations.

so in 2010, Cain, JDS, AO, Brock, Carwin, Mir, Big Nog and Werdum was a strong HW division
and in 2011, JDS and Werdum (with the rest hurt, suspended or finally too old to be considered great anymore) was not a strong HW division. weak, you might even say.

it doesn't mean they're useless. they're still bad ass. but comparatively, we like it more when fighters are stronger than, say, Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes.

and it cannot affect rankings. for example, it doesn't matter that Tito held the belt during a weak lull (between F Shamrock and Chuck). he still beat the guys of the time, to be #1. similarly, it's not Sylvia's & AA's fault that they had to whoop up on the likes of Eilers, old Tra and Corriera. they dominated the division they had.

 

[Vegesus44]

I was sure i put a question mark in the title. But still, it's a discussion on whether the HW division is weak, how is it clickbait ?

You just answered your own question.

 

[Fight Professor]

If you look at fighter pay, then no wonder. Shit isn't worth it for most people, and big athletes have much better options out there.

The pay is there but you need to be business savy and charismatic.